The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-04-01
BET; A SKETCH.
CHAPTER THE FIRST.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.
A glorious July afternoon, some GO
years ago, in one OF the Midland
counties; a narrow lane between hedg-
es, where the wild rose grew in sweet
profusion; and a young man trudginG
along, whistling scraps OF country
ditties with lusty enjoyment
He was strong, well-built fellow,
with an honest, kindly face, that was
redeemed from being commonplace by
the firm lips and bright grey eyes.
In one Land he carried posy OF
glowing summer flowers, and doubt
less it was thoughts Of the future re.
cipient that made him whistleso gaily,
and rejoice so gladly in the shining sky
and hot sunshine.
Not that he could have told you
that he revealed in the beauties OF
nature, for he was not poetcal-eX-
cept in so far that most good men
are so more or less. But he could
have told you that his skies were the
blue eyes OF Bet Woodruff, and his
sunshine was in her smiles.
Jasper Dean was n farmer OF the
good old sort-hard, working and per-
tectly content provided the crops were
good, and that sheep.rot did not get
amongst his flocks. HIS little farm
had descended to him from his father,
and here Jasper had lived with his
mother ever since his first entry into
existence He would not have
bartered his dear old home for all
the spendor OF a palace. The
quiet life had the charm OF ia
miliarity, and he was disturbed by no
ambition to explore the world in
quest OF novelty or adventure. In
tact, his ambitions, such as they were,
we're commonplace enough, though
Just at present one OF them seemed
| to himself, at least-absorbing.y inter-
esting.
He was engaged to be married; and
his ambition was to make the woman
he loved happy. Bet Woodrulfe
Who could help loving Bet, with
her golden hair and soft blue eyes?
She was an orphan niece OF Jasper's
mother, and had lived as pet and
plaything at the farm since she was IL
yearsold. How Jasper had cherished
the little creature. played with her,
and, as she grew older, hoped for herl
She, too, was fond of good old
Jasper" and thought HIM the finest
and best fellow in the country.
So it came about that they told
each other they could never be happy
apart. Jasper said that the farm,
with It's pretty garden and orchard,
was nothing to him without Bet; and
Bet whispered that she would love to
live there always, with Jasper.
No wonder, then, if Jasper felt that
life was u splendid thing, as he carried
home his posy to Bet. Who would
not think so in such positiong
Yet, as he crossed the meadow lead
ing to the farm, slight shadow cloud
ed his eyes, and he looked down at the
flowers with half-regretful sigh.
"She was half-crazed for these anem-
ones" he SAID to himself; "and I've
had n tough walk to find 'em. But
The lass takes no thought for such
ike since that artist chaps bin at
her no. nor yet for me, neither.
She's not what she used to be. Like
" she finds I'm bit dull and rusty.
< great, hulking fellow for such a bit
D sunlight as she is--bless her But
owe her, and that's saying more nor
pother chap, for all his buttering ways.
II | were to catch him a-fooling my
ASST were tothink--"H He clenched
ais hands with momentary anger,
then shook himself impatiently, and,
opening the gate of the orchard, add
ID, "I'l never doubt my Bet
trust her for q good and a sensible
ass, Jasper, lad, and thee'll not find
thee was fool for thy pains"
In the garden he found her. She was
lot alone, for Allan Challoner. the
artist from London, was putting the
finishing touches to picture in which
Bet was the central figure. He had
,een there most afternoons for the